‘you’ll be glad you chose Summit’,
and to achieve that, every Summit team member aims to provide a real estate service that is second to none. We value relationships. We have maintained a close connection with our community since our first day of operation. Summit has grown with the region through numerous events, sports, cultural and other community-based initiatives, including 5 years as principal sponsor of the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter. While we source an ever-increasing percentage of inquiries from our high-profile, web-based marketing, the vast majority of business is still completed face-to-face with our clients and salespeople.
Summit maintains a simple strategy; we provide our salespeople with the best resources, marketing, training, technology, and management support to achieve the best result possible for every client. Built on a solid foundation of many years of ethical trading, Summit is a member of the NZ Realtors Network - the most successful group of Real Estate companies in New Zealand. Summit has unique advantages; salespeople enjoy the benefits of working in a progressive multi-office environment, no franchise fees sent out of town, and the region’s largest real estate agency.
1992
Established Office at
526 Main Road Stoke, Stoke
2001
Opened Commercial Office
Nelson
2002
Opened Motueka
102 High Street
2006
New Stoke Office opens
506 Main Road Stoke
2009
Opened Summit House Nelson
60 Rutherford Street
2010
Opened Picton Office
56 High Street
2013
New Richmond Office opens
203 Queen Street
2019
New Blenheim Office opens
30 Alfred Street
2026
Expanded Property Management Richmond Office opens
201-203 Queen Street
Summit understand what makes the Top of the South Island unique, from the majestic bays of the Sounds, the golden sand beaches of Abel Tasman, to the vibrant communities of our provincial towns.
Our real difference is our culture and people. Summit’s success is the results of the many outstanding people who have joined us. We have the largest team of qualified, experienced real estate specialists, and we’re well equipped to deal with all facets of real estate. Our commitment to providing unparalleled service and working as a team makes Summit the region’s most preferred real estate agency by far.
It’s the support from our local community that we gratefully acknowledge when looking at Summit’s achievements to date and our current position as market leaders. We show our gratitude in very real ways, giving back to our local community.
The latest REINZ Monthly Property Report, shows the property market across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough continues to track steadily, with buyer caution and longer selling periods remaining key themes.
Data compared to April 2025 highlights a market that remains active, particularly among first-home buyers, while higher-end market activity has softened due to reduced movement in the lower to mid-range sectors.
Across the region, the median days to sell increased to 39 days, sitting slightly above the 10-year April average of 37 days.
Median prices across the Top of the South saw year-on-year decreases:
Nelson median price decreased 6.7% to $695,000Marlborough median price decreased 2.3% to $635,000Tasman median price decreased 8.1% to $781,000Local salespeople reporting that most vendors entered the market with realistic expectations around pricing and competition. Open home attendance remained steady, driven largely by local owner-occupiers and first-home buyers.
Auction activity produced mixed results; however, properties not sold under the hammer were often placed under conditional contract shortly afterwards, showing continued buyer engagement despite more cautious decision-making.
Market sentiment continues to be influenced by longer days to sell, fewer listings and ongoing discussion around interest rates. As the cooler months approach and election year uncertainty builds, industry professionals are not anticipating any significant uplift in activity in the short term.
For buyers, current conditions continue to provide more choice and time to make informed decisions. For sellers, presentation, pricing and strong marketing remain critical in achieving successful outcomes in today’s market.
Source: REINZ Monthly Property Report, Published May 2026. Data compared to April 2025.
For property owners considering their next move, understanding where your property sits in today’s market is more important than ever.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation appraisal with one of our local property experts.
Market Reports
Summit recently celebrated its 34th Annual Summit Awards alongside the annual Summit Conference at the Rutherford Hotel, bringing together staff from across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough for a memorable evening of recognition and connection.
The theme running throughout both events focused on the idea that excellence in real estate does not happen by accident. It is built through daily habits, intentional action, teamwork, and a commitment to continually improving the service we provide to our clients and communities.
The evening recognised outstanding achievements across sales, property management, administration, and support services, while also celebrating long-serving team members whose dedication has helped shape Summit over many years.
A huge congratulations to all award winners and long service recipients. Your consistency, professionalism, and commitment to continual improvement truly represent the values that make Summit what it is today.
Summit would also like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our sales consultants, property managers, realty services teams, mortgage and insurance advisers, and administration staff across the region. Our success is built on strong teamwork and the depth of local experience we are fortunate to have throughout the organisation. Having experienced professionals and mentors available locally allows our teams to collaborate, share knowledge, and ultimately achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
As a locally owned and independent business, Summit is proud that choosing Summit means supporting local people, local businesses, and reinvesting directly back into the communities we all call home.
2026 Summit Award WinnersAWARDS CATEGORY
RECIPIENT(S)
10 Years’ Service Awards
Emma Barton
Tori Nalder
25 Years’ Service Awards
Diane Taylor
Dwayne Lohmann
Summit Rookies
Brian Sangster & Steph Monopoli
Runner Up Property Manager
Avei Douglas
Top Property Manager of the Year
Fiona Harris
Top Property Management Office
Marlborough Property Management Team
Sales Top Office
Richmond Office
Real Estate Excellence Award
Emma McCashin
Summit Champions 2025/2026
1st Glyn Delany
2nd Emma McCashin
3rd Michelle Westrupp
4th Callum Gilchrist
5th Liam Boshoff
6th Dwayne Lohmann
Excellence, experience, and community - that’s the Summit difference.
Find out more on the People who make the Difference
New data from realestate.co.nz shows weekly average rents rose by 7.8% in Nelson and Bays, with new listing and stock also seeing an increase. Rents in Nelson have hit a record high, with demand continuing to push prices up despite a broader easing across the country.
New data from realestate.co.nz shows the average weekly rent in Nelson and Bays rose to $617 in April, up 7.8% from $573 a year earlier.
The increase highlights ongoing pressure in the local rental market, with Nelson one of just two regions, alongside Waikato, to record a new average rent high.
Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams said the figures reflected strong demand in the region.
“While many parts of the country are seeing some relief, Nelson continues to show strong demand for rental housing,” she said.
Local rental supply has also lifted slightly. In Nelson, total rental stock rose 7% in April compared to a year earlier, increasing from 84 to 90 listings, and was up 15% on March.
New listings increased 13.6% year-on-year, from 59 to 67, although they were down 19.3% compared to the previous month.
Williams said the increase was “technically defying the laws of supply and demand” given a healthy number of homes were coming onto the market.
“When you look at the types of properties coming on, there are some really quite nice homes, and I wonder if that’s tipped the average over the edge.”
She said rents had been trending upwards for some time, and it was always important to watch for a trend.
Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams said the increase was “technically defying the laws of supply and demand”.
“This hasn’t come out of nowhere,” she said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a one-off. It’s been building over the year.”
She said the increase could also reflect changing behaviour in the market.
“There may be a combination of people continuing to see value in the rental market, or perhaps selling homes and moving into rentals, which could also be pushing up the average.”
Despite the increase in available properties, supply remains relatively tight, with demand continuing to support higher prices.
Nationally, rents had eased slightly, with the average weekly rent falling 1.4% to $631 — almost $30 below the peak recorded in May 2024.
Williams said the shifting figures showed how quickly conditions could change.
“For renters, it’s a noticeable change from the pressure we were seeing at the peak, but it also shows how quickly market conditions can move,” she said.
She said demand for quality rental housing remained strong, even in regions where prices had softened.
Nina Hindmarsh • Reporter [email protected]
May 7, 2026
Photo credit: Braden Fastier / Nelson Mail
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Opened at 526 Main Road Stoke, Stoke in 1992
Our first issue of the Summit Weekly published in September 2004, this has become an integral part of establishing Summit as the region's most preferred real estate agency.
Across the Top of the South and every corner of our region, our salespeople are renowned for providing exceptional service because our clients deserve nothing less.
Managing thousands of rental properties throughout the top of the South, the region's trusted name in property management saves you time and money, so you can make the most of yours.
With a team of over 100 strong in 6 locations throughout the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough a friendly Summit branch is likely not too far from where you are.